Leicester fall at the first after Chelsea comback

Leicester City 2:4 Chelsea

A two goal lead against Chelsea wasn’t enough to see City into the next round of the League Cup on Tuesday night at the KPS…

Claudio Ranieri made 7 changes to his starting line-up for this third round tie with only Zieler, Simpson, Morgan and Drinkwater retaining their places.
Chelsea also started with four player from their last outing and were on the front foot in the early stages. They had the ball in the net in the 4th minute but Pedro fell foul of a tight offside decision.
Chelsea then had a penalty appeal turned down when Wasilewski appeared to handle a Pedro cross, with City looking stretched.
After a quarter of an hour City’s first opportunity came when a Cahill error saw Musa charging towards goal, but the defender managed to recover for a face-saving challenge.
For all Chelsea’s early pressure, it was City who took a 17th minute lead.
A Musa cross wasn’t dealt with by the visitors defence and Okazaki stole in at the right hand post to nod the ball home.

City were running the show now and doubled their lead in the 34th minute. Okazaki struck again from the same place, this time with a clever finish, struck downwards and over Begovic.
Gray then went close with a rasping shot, but some of the good work was undone when Chelsea pulled a goal back just before the half-time whistle. Cahill headed home a Fabregas corner, the ball over the line before Drinkwater’s clearance rebounded in off Luiz.

Four minutes into the second half Chelsea were level when a half clearance fell for Azpilicueta, who lashed an unstoppable volley into the top  right hand corner.
As City pressed to regain their lead there were loud penalty appeals when Gray went over after an Azpilicueta challenge, but referee Bobby Madley waved play on.

The game changed in the 67th minute when Antonio Conte brought Costa on, and he put himself about as only Costa can.
He soon had a golden chance, putting a shot beyond Zieler but also the post.
City then missed a couple of great chances of their own. The first saw Musa in on goal after a Luiz mistake, but Begovic produced a fine save to deny his lofted effort. The second saw King plant a header wide at the far post when it looked easier to score.
Claudio Ranieri made his first changes in the 75th minute,  bringing on Ulloa for Okazaki, and Vardy for Musa.
Costa then breached the centre of City’s defence but Zieler produced a good save.
The German keeper then denied an increasingly dangerous looking Costa with a double save moments later.
With extra-time looming City were reduced to ten men after a reckless barge by  Wasilewski on Costa. It was the Pole’s second yellow and City were now up against it.

The extra-time that no one wanted was made more annoying when a great move ended with a Fabregas goal two minutes after the restart.
It was then game over when Febregas made it 4-2 with another excellent strike two minutes later.
The rest of extra-time was played at a pedestrian pace, with both sides knowing that Chelsea were in the fourth round.

Although it was disappointing to lose after being two goals ahead, no one will mourn this extra burden on the fixture list for too long.

Leicester: Zieler, Simpson, Wasilewski, Morgan, Chilwell, Drinkwater, King, Gray (Amartey 90), Schlupp, Musa (Vardy 76), Okazaki (Ulloa 75). Subs Not Used: Hamer, Benalouane, Mahrez, Kapustka.
Chelsea: Begovic, Alonso, Fabregas, Pedro (Hazard 89), Loftus-Cheek (Costa 67), Moses, Matic, Batshuayi (Chalobah 80), Cahill, Azpilicueta, Luiz. Subs Not Used: Kante, Courtois, Willian, Aina.

Referee: R Madley. Attendance: 29,899.

PHOTOS: Simon Kimber
———————————————

The FOX Summer Special 2016 is a 44 page, all-colour celebration of football’s greatest ever story… Leicester City’s Premier League title win of 2015-16…

Here’s what people are saying about it… (and we haven’t made it up).

* “Page after page of smiles… fantastic.”

* “Every City fan should have one – it’s just amazing – I’ve not stopped smiling – and wishing it would happen again.”

* “Hard to think of £3 better spent in my life. “

* “It is a thing of beauty. “

* “Get one quick!! It’s brilliant!!!……Thanks Gary and Co.”

* “It’s the best issue ever – and I’ve been buying it for 25 years. Awesome stuff!”

* “Just got in and reading it, blubbing at your comment in the editorial about how your perception of life has altered, spot on. And the bit in 50 Something where it shows the framed photo of his Dad, max emosh, well played sirs.”

* “Summer Special is superb! Got something in my bloody eye again!!”

* “It will go in my souvenir box file, along with the Champions clapper, Vardy salted crisps and all the other gubbins that will forever convey a touch of immortality.”

——————————–

To get your copy you can pay online via Paypal.

Either subscribe to The FOX for the 2016-17 season HERE. (UK price)

Or you can just buy the Summer Special for £3 plus p&p on its own HERE. (UK Price)

If you wish to purchase our commemorative set of cards then please make an additional payment of £3.95 HERE.

These are UK postal prices, for overseas prices please email:garysilke@sky.com 

 

 

Slimani double as Leicester bury Burnley

Leicester City 3:0 Burnley

City looked to be back to last season’s form with a convincing 3-0 win at home to Burnley on Saturday, with Islam Slimani scoring twice on his Premier League debut…

Claudio Ranieri made two changes to the side that started in Bruges, with Zieler in for Schmeichel (who had suffered concussion in training), and Simpson reclaiming the right-back berth.
Although City were in control of the game for long periods, the challenge was to get through a well organised Burnley defence.
There were early half chances for Albrighton and Vardy, before Mahrez went on a superb run down the right and cut in only to be denied by Heaton’s knee.
For all City’s dominance it was the Clarets who should have taken a 36th minute lead when an unmarked Defour had the goal at his mercy but directed his downward header straight into the arms of Zieler.
City turned up the heat towards the break. Fuchs found Mahrez with a cross from the left, but his header went narrowly wide of the post.
Then Vardy fed Slimani, in a new partnership that you could see clicking into gear, but the Algerian’s shot went straight at Heaton.
Just when it looked as though the teams would go down the tunnel on level terms, City took the lead in time added on.
Albrighton was fouled by Lowton on the left, Fuchs delivered a superb free-kick into the area and Slimani evaded his marker before sending a thumping header past Heaton.

Sean Dyche’s side were to suffer another setback just two minutes after the restart.
The marauding Mahrez, in frightening form, delivered a cross from the right and Vardy produced a clever back-heeled flick to set up Slimani for another headed goal.
City, now in irresistible form pressed forward in search of a third.
Albrighton forced a save from Heaton and Mahrez had a shot deflected over.
City players were queuing up to fire in shots from the resulting corner with Mahrez, Armetey and Fuchs all having shots blocked or deflected.

The third goal arrived in the 78th minute. Mahrez waltzed round Ward down the right and former-City defender Mee jabbed the cross into his own net at the near post.
With the game won, the under-employed Zieler then had to work to preserve City’s clean sheet. A deflected Berg-Gudmundsson free-kick saw the German keeper having to making a quick change of direction to save.

A week that had not started well at Liverpool ended with a second consecutive 3-0 win and a performance that suggested that City will be a force to be reckoned with once again this season.
Claudio Ranieri was pleased with his new striker: “It was good for Slimani and good for everyone. It was a very good performance but he also linked very well with his team-mates. Very well. He pressed so hard during all the match. We brought him for all these characteristics.”

Leicester: Zieler, Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs, Drinkwater (King 78), Amartey, Albrighton, Mahrez (Gray 85), Slimani, Vardy. Subs Not Used: Hamer, Hernández, Musa, Okazaki, Ulloa.
Burnley: Heaton, Lowton, Keane, Mee, Gray, Marney, Hendrick, Defour (Vokes 64), Boyd, Ward, Arfield (Berg-Gudmundsson 57). Subs Not Used: Flanagan, Kightly, Bamford, Robinson, Tarkowski.

Referee: Anthony Taylor. Attendance: 31,916.

PHOTOS: Simon Kimber
———————————————

The FOX Summer Special 2016 is a 44 page, all-colour celebration of football’s greatest ever story… Leicester City’s Premier League title win of 2015-16…

Here’s what people are saying about it… (and we haven’t made it up).

* “Page after page of smiles… fantastic.”

* “Every City fan should have one – it’s just amazing – I’ve not stopped smiling – and wishing it would happen again.”

* “Hard to think of £3 better spent in my life. “

* “It is a thing of beauty. “

* “Get one quick!! It’s brilliant!!!……Thanks Gary and Co.”

* “It’s the best issue ever – and I’ve been buying it for 25 years. Awesome stuff!”

* “Just got in and reading it, blubbing at your comment in the editorial about how your perception of life has altered, spot on. And the bit in 50 Something where it shows the framed photo of his Dad, max emosh, well played sirs.”

* “Summer Special is superb! Got something in my bloody eye again!!”

* “It will go in my souvenir box file, along with the Champions clapper, Vardy salted crisps and all the other gubbins that will forever convey a touch of immortality.”

——————————–

To get your copy you can pay online via Paypal.

Either subscribe to The FOX for the 2016-17 season HERE. (UK price)

Or you can just buy the Summer Special for £3 plus p&p on its own HERE. (UK Price)

If you wish to purchase our commemorative set of cards then please make an additional payment of £3.95 HERE.

These are UK postal prices, for overseas prices please email:garysilke@sky.com 

 

 

Spectacular Champions League debut for Leicester in Bruges

Club Brugge 0:3 Leicester City

City kicked off their first ever Champions League campaign in fantastic style, beating Club Brugge 3-0 on Wednesday night at the Jan Breydel Stadium.

Thousands of City fans had descended on beautiful Bruges on a burning hot afternoon, and it was a shame that so many couldn’t get into a ground that was some 9,000 under capacity for such a landmark game in the club’s history.

Claudio Ranieri made two changes to his side with Slimani making his debut in place of Okazaki, and Hernández in for the injured Simpson.
The City boss revealed: “I said to the players when you hear the Champions League music it charges the battery and makes you fight.” and this turned out to be the case, after an early scare.
In the 3rd minute Vanaken sent a ball between Huth and Morgan,to Izquierdo who was one on one with Schmeichel but sent his shot narrowly wide.
Two minutes later it was City who went ahead: Butelle came out to claim a long throw from Hernandez on the right, but Vanaken’s slight touch with his head took the keeper out of the equation and Albrighton was beautifully placed to finish from close in.
Albrighton’s face was a picture as he celebrated scoring City first ever Champions League goal.
Having had a poor start to the season this seemed to knock the Belgian champions’ confidence. City dealt fairly comfortably with their attempts to level matters, while Morgan sent a header over the bar from a corner.
The highly fortified away corner was then in raptures as City extended their lead in the 29th minute. Simons brought down Vardy twenty yards out and Mahrez stepped up to deliver a perfect free-kick that had both curve and pace to beat Butelle and find the top left hand corner.

Brugge were struggling to cope with Vardy, and Engels became the next player to go into the book for fouling him. Drinkwater’s 30 yard free-kick was on target, but straight at Butelle.
Moments later Drinkwater had another crack, connecting well with a half cleared corner, but this time the ball went a foot over the bar.

Neither side made a change at the break but Brugge were soon forced into one when Engels suffered a dislocated shoulder after a shove from Slimani that earned him a booking.
City then put the game beyond doubt with a third goal on the hour. Vardy pounced on a defensive error and charged through on goal, only to be brought crashing down by Butelle.
The keeper was booked and Mahrez didn’t seem to have let recent spot-kick misses affect his confidence, firing home his second of the game.

With the game won, Ranieri began to withdraw players with thoughts of Burnley on Saturday, Slimani and Vardy making way for Ulloa and Musa.
Brugge enjoyed a decent spell which saw Izquierdo, beating Hernandez and firing in a shot that beat Schmeichel but not the foot of the far post.
Huth got his head to another Hernandez long throw but his effort was too close to Butelle, before a rampaging run from Musa almost set up Mahrez.
Mahrez then made way for Gray, receiving a great ovation on his exit, after an indifferent start to the domestic season he had stepped up on the European stage.
Huth sent a header wide, and Gray fired over after a good run before the ref brought an end to Brugge’s misery.

This was City’s first win in Europe in 55 years, but Claudio Ranieri’s caution echoed that of last season: “We’ve just played the first match; there’s another five to go. We have taken confidence. But let’s stay calm. It wasn’t easy. If they’d scored early it would have changed the match.”
The fans were in dreamland however, and after the long walk back into town the party was just beginning…

Brugge: Butelle, Van Rhijn, Simons, Engels (Poulain 53), Diaby (Vossen 62), Izquierdo (Gedoz 76), Pina, Vanaken, Densweil, Vormer, De Bock. Subs Not Used: Bruzzese, Claudemir, Cools, Bolingoli.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Hernández, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs, Drinkwater, Amartey, Mahrez (Gray 81), Albrighton, Slimani (Ulloa 62), Vardy (Musa 70). Subs Not Used: Zieler, Chilwell, Wasilewski, King.

Referee: T Sidiropoulos. Attendance: 20,970. 

———————————————

The FOX Summer Special 2016 is a 44 page, all-colour celebration of football’s greatest ever story… Leicester City’s Premier League title win of 2015-16…

Here’s what people are saying about it… (and we haven’t made it up).

* “Page after page of smiles… fantastic.”

* “Every City fan should have one – it’s just amazing – I’ve not stopped smiling – and wishing it would happen again.”

* “Hard to think of £3 better spent in my life. “

* “It is a thing of beauty. “

* “Get one quick!! It’s brilliant!!!……Thanks Gary and Co.”

* “It’s the best issue ever – and I’ve been buying it for 25 years. Awesome stuff!”

* “Just got in and reading it, blubbing at your comment in the editorial about how your perception of life has altered, spot on. And the bit in 50 Something where it shows the framed photo of his Dad, max emosh, well played sirs.”

* “Summer Special is superb! Got something in my bloody eye again!!”

* “It will go in my souvenir box file, along with the Champions clapper, Vardy salted crisps and all the other gubbins that will forever convey a touch of immortality.”

——————————–

To get your copy you can pay online via Paypal.

Either subscribe to The FOX for the 2016-17 season HERE. (UK price)

Or you can just buy the Summer Special for £3 plus p&p on its own HERE. (UK Price)

If you wish to purchase our commemorative set of cards then please make an additional payment of £3.95 HERE.

These are UK postal prices, for overseas prices please email:garysilke@sky.com 

Champions Leicester humbled at Anfield

Liverpool 4:1 Leicester City

City were outplayed by Liverpool, suffering a 4-1 defeat at a new look Anfield on Saturday evening…

Claudio Ranieri names an unchanged starting line-up from the Swansea win, with Schmeichel having recovered from his hernia op and new record signing Slimani not yet featuring in the squad.
With the new main stand opened, this was Anfield’s biggest attendance since the late 70s, but City began the game on the front foot attacking the Kop end and winning a couple of early corners. The early spell of pressure ended with Okazaki firing a chance over the bar, and then the home side got a grip on the game that they rarely loosened for the remainder of the evening.
A series of slick passing moves left City’s back-line looking stretched and Liverpool were ahead by the 13th minute. Milner set up Firmino on the edge of the area and he neatly side-stepped the defence before firing  a low shot past Schmeichel.
The City defence were carved up again with another great display of passing and movement, but Schmeichel produced a good save to deny Sturridge.
Another moment of high quality saw the Reds go 2-0 up on the half hour – Firmino sent Sturridge in down the right, and a superb back-heel found Mane in the middle, the former Southampton man beating Schmeichel from close in.
Five minutes later City suffered another setback when Simpson had to go off, replaced by Hernandez.
However, three minutes after this change City were gifted a goal and were back in contention. Mignolet played a short ball out to Lucas, who tried to return it but presented it to Okazaki. Lucas’s challenge then saw the ball squared for an unmarked Vardy who had only to sidefoot it into an unguarded goal.
Lifted by this fortune, City went close to an equaliser before the break. Huth got his head to a long throw from Hernandez, but found the top of the crossbar.

City began the second half with Musa on for Okazaki and he had an early shot blocked by Matip. From the resulting corner Mignolet collided with Huth and suffered a nosebleed, which led to a long saga of three separate treatments from two physios.
Schmeichel then produced a fine save from a Sturridge effort in the 56th minute, but could do nothing about a Lallana rocket into the top left hand corner moments later.
City soon had a chance to reduce the deficit again, but Mignolet somehow managed to block a Vardy shot from close in.
After a couple of Liverpool moves were halted by the linesman’s flag, Huth nodded narrowly wide and Drinkwater had a fierce shot deflected for a corner.
Another fine Liverpool move ended with Henderson sending a shot sailing high into the Kop, but they were to increase their lead with a minute remaining.
With City pressing forward, Henderson’s long ball sent Mane racing down the left. Schmeichel was 40 yards out of his goal and failed to tackle him; Mane squared for the Firmino who picked his spot past back-pedalling blue shirts for his second goal and Liverpool’s fourth.

It was a comprehensive defeat for City, who looked way off the pace of last season’s performances, and now face the club’s first ever Champions league fixture on Wednesday.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Milner, Wijnaldum (Stewart 76), Henderson, Lallana, Leiva, Mane (Moreno 90), Firmino, Sturridge (Coutinho 76). Subs Not Used: Karius, Grujic, Klavan, Origi.
Leicester: Schmeichel, Simpson (Hernández 34), Huth, Morgan, Fuchs, Drinkwater, Amartey, Albrighton (Ulloa 65), Mahrez, Okazaki (Musa 46), Vardy. Subs Not Used: Zieler, Chilwell, King, Gray.
Referee: C Pawson. Attendance: 51,232.

———————————————

The FOX Summer Special 2016 is a 44 page, all-colour celebration of football’s greatest ever story… Leicester City’s Premier League title win of 2015-16…

Here’s what people are saying about it… (and we haven’t made it up).

* “Page after page of smiles… fantastic.”

* “Every City fan should have one – it’s just amazing – I’ve not stopped smiling – and wishing it would happen again.”

* “Hard to think of £3 better spent in my life. “

* “It is a thing of beauty. “

* “Get one quick!! It’s brilliant!!!……Thanks Gary and Co.”

* “It’s the best issue ever – and I’ve been buying it for 25 years. Awesome stuff!”

* “Just got in and reading it, blubbing at your comment in the editorial about how your perception of life has altered, spot on. And the bit in 50 Something where it shows the framed photo of his Dad, max emosh, well played sirs.”

* “Summer Special is superb! Got something in my bloody eye again!!”

* “It will go in my souvenir box file, along with the Champions clapper, Vardy salted crisps and all the other gubbins that will forever convey a touch of immortality.”

——————————–

To get your copy you can pay online via Paypal.

Either subscribe to The FOX for the 2016-17 season HERE. (UK price)

Or you can just buy the Summer Special for £3 plus p&p on its own HERE. (UK Price)

If you wish to purchase our commemorative set of cards then please make an additional payment of £3.95 HERE.

These are UK postal prices, for overseas prices please email:garysilke@sky.com 

Mixed fortunes for Leicester’s internationals

Riyad Mahrez was the most successful of City’s internationals over the weekend, getting two goals in Algeria’s 6-0 win over Lesotho in the Africa Cup of Nations…

His first was a stunning free-kick from 25 yards, which you can watch here.
City’s new record signing Islam Slimani also came on as sub and provided an assist.

Also on the scoresheet was Bartosz Kapustka who netted for Poland in their 2018 World Cup qualifying 2-2 draw with Kazakhstan at the Astana Arena.

Sadly, neither Jamie Vardy or Danny Drinkwater made it onto the field in Sam Allardyce’s first game in charge of England. An unimpressive performance eventually saw a late victory over 10-men Slovakia at the City Arena in Trnava.

On Saturday: Ahmed Musa played for Nigeria in their 1-0 win over Tanzania in the Africa Cup of Nations; Daniel Amartey was in the Ghana side that drew 1-1 with Rwanda; and Wes Morgan played in Jamaica’s 2-0 against Panama in a World Cup qualifier.

———————————————

The FOX Summer Special 2016 is a 44 page, all-colour celebration of football’s greatest ever story… Leicester City’s Premier League title win of 2015-16…

Here’s what people are saying about it… (and we haven’t made it up).

* “Page after page of smiles… fantastic.”

* “Every City fan should have one – it’s just amazing – I’ve not stopped smiling – and wishing it would happen again.”

* “Hard to think of £3 better spent in my life. “

* “It is a thing of beauty. “

* “Get one quick!! It’s brilliant!!!……Thanks Gary and Co.”

* “It’s the best issue ever – and I’ve been buying it for 25 years. Awesome stuff!”

* “Just got in and reading it, blubbing at your comment in the editorial about how your perception of life has altered, spot on. And the bit in 50 Something where it shows the framed photo of his Dad, max emosh, well played sirs.”

* “Summer Special is superb! Got something in my bloody eye again!!”

* “It will go in my souvenir box file, along with the Champions clapper, Vardy salted crisps and all the other gubbins that will forever convey a touch of immortality.”

——————————–

To get your copy you can pay online via Paypal.

Either subscribe to The FOX for the 2016-17 season HERE. (UK price)

Or you can just buy the Summer Special for £3 plus p&p on its own HERE. (UK Price)

If you wish to purchase our commemorative set of cards then please make an additional payment of £3.95 HERE.

These are UK postal prices, for overseas prices please email:garysilke@sky.com 

 

 

 

Leicester smash transfer record to land Islam Slimani

Leicester City finally managed to sign long-term target Islam Slimani on transfer deadline day, spending what is believed to be around £29m on the prolific Sporting Lisbon striker. 

The 28 year old, who left the Algerian squad today for a medical in Italy, commented: “To join a team like Leicester City is a huge honour and I can’t wait to get started. I’ve always wanted to play my football in the Premier League and to get the opportunity to do that with the reigning champions was something I simply could not turn down.”

Slimani, an international teammate of Riyad Mahrez, scored twice for Algeria at the 2014 World Cup and 48 goals in 82 appearances for Sporting.
Mahrez may have had some influence in the transfer: “My friend Riyad Mahrez spoke to me about the Club and about the atmosphere the Leicester fans create at King Power Stadium. I will give absolutely everything I have on the pitch for them and for my team-mates and I hope that together we can achieve something special.” 

A deadline day departure saw  Gökhan İnler signing for Beşiktaş on a three year deal.
His move to City didn’t work out, but he shared in the team spirit of the squad last season.
We wish him all the best in the future.

———————————————

The FOX Summer Special 2016 is a 44 page, all-colour celebration of football’s greatest ever story… Leicester City’s Premier League title win of 2015-16…

Here’s what people are saying about it… (and we haven’t made it up).

* “Page after page of smiles… fantastic.”

* “Every City fan should have one – it’s just amazing – I’ve not stopped smiling – and wishing it would happen again.”

* “Hard to think of £3 better spent in my life. “

* “It is a thing of beauty. “

* “Get one quick!! It’s brilliant!!!……Thanks Gary and Co.”

* “It’s the best issue ever – and I’ve been buying it for 25 years. Awesome stuff!”

* “Just got in and reading it, blubbing at your comment in the editorial about how your perception of life has altered, spot on. And the bit in 50 Something where it shows the framed photo of his Dad, max emosh, well played sirs.”

* “Summer Special is superb! Got something in my bloody eye again!!”

* “It will go in my souvenir box file, along with the Champions clapper, Vardy salted crisps and all the other gubbins that will forever convey a touch of immortality.”

——————————–

To get your copy you can pay online via Paypal.

Either subscribe to The FOX for the 2016-17 season HERE. (UK price)

Or you can just buy the Summer Special for £3 plus p&p on its own HERE. (UK Price)

If you wish to purchase our commemorative set of cards then please make an additional payment of £3.95 HERE.

These are UK postal prices, for overseas prices please email:garysilke@sky.com 

Leicester defeat Swans in a deluge

Leicester City 2:1 Swansea City

City defeated Swansea and the elements to gain their first victory of the season at a stormy King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Claudio Ranieri made one change to his side with Amartey in for the injured Mendy and they started in lively fashion with Naughton blocking a Vardy shot early on.
Vardy caused more problems for the Swans defence before being brought down by Fernandez just outside the penalty area. The defender was booked and Mahrez sent his free-kick two feet over the bar. Drinkwater then went close but City were frustrated again.
Swansea had little to offer up front and Schmeichel comfortably held a Sigurdsson shot in a rare foray forward.

City’s opening goal arrived in the 32nd minute. Amartey, staking his place in midfield with a fine performance, won the ball on the edge of City’s area. Then Drinkwater combined with Mahrez before sending a perfectly weighted ball forward for Vardy. The City striker outpaced the Swans defence before blasting his first goal of the season in off the right hand post.
The rest of the game was played out in increasingly heavy rain, with lightning forking through black clouds. Okazaki arrowed a fine towards the top left hand corner but Fabianski was well positioned to tip it away for the last meaningful action of the first half.

Although Swansea started the second half trying to press forward they were 2-0 down seven minutes after the break.
Albrighton delivered a corner from the right, after an aerial challenge involving four players the ball deflected off Huth and then rolled over Morgan’s shoulder dropping in front of him. The City skipper reacted swiftly to volley it home from 6 yards.
Soon after this City suffered a setback when Schmeichel mis-kicked a clearance into the path of Llorente. The City keeper did very well to race off his line and clear the ball before the Swansea striker could take a second touch but injured himself in the process.
At the other end Vardy was tackled, and Okazaki collected the loose ball in the area but was given a whack on the shin by Amat for an obvious penalty. Mahrez’s spot-kick lacked both pace and direction and Fabianski had a fairly easy save to make.

Schmeichel was then replaced by Zieler, and the rain got even heavier.
The pitch coped very well until the closing stages, when puddles began to appear and water was flying up around the ball. With ten minutes remaining the visitors narrowed City’s lead when Barrow crossed from the right and Fer leapt like a salmon to nod past Zieler.
This made for a nervy last few minutes, but Simpson dealt well with a dangerous ball across the goalmouth and Swansea were struggling to create anything in the worsening conditions.
City broke upfield and after splashing his way into the area Mahrez set himself up for a curling effort which went just wide of the far post.
Fabianski then saved from substitute Musa before the ref’s whistle heralded City’s first win of the season.

Claudio Ranieri tried to play down the rave reviews given to Amartey: “I don’t want to speak of Kante. There is only one – there isn’t another in the world. He has gone and now we need to move on. But Amartey played very, very well. He now knows very well the Premier League. He can play centre-back, central midfielder, right-back, right winger and I am very pleased with him. He played very well, was solid, strong and recovered a lot of balls.”

Leicester: Schmeichel (Zieler 57), Simpson, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs, Drinkwater, Amartey, Mahrez, Albrighton (Musa 74), Okazaki (Ulloa, 79) Vardy. Subs Not Used: Chilwell, Hernandez, King, Gray.
Swansea: Fabianski, Amat, Fer, Llorente, Routledge (Ki 59), Barrow, Sigurdsson (Montero 59), Cork (McBurnie 86), Naughton, Fernandez, Kingsley. Subs Not Used: Van Der Hoorn, Nordfelt, Rangel, Fulton.

Referee: R East. Attendance: 31,727.

PHOTO: Simon Kimber
———————————————

The FOX Summer Special 2016 is a 44 page, all-colour celebration of football’s greatest ever story… Leicester City’s Premier League title win of 2015-16…

Here’s what people are saying about it… (and we haven’t made it up).

* “Page after page of smiles… fantastic.”

* “Every City fan should have one – it’s just amazing – I’ve not stopped smiling – and wishing it would happen again.”

* “Hard to think of £3 better spent in my life. “

* “It is a thing of beauty. “

* “Get one quick!! It’s brilliant!!!……Thanks Gary and Co.”

* “It’s the best issue ever – and I’ve been buying it for 25 years. Awesome stuff!”

* “Just got in and reading it, blubbing at your comment in the editorial about how your perception of life has altered, spot on. And the bit in 50 Something where it shows the framed photo of his Dad, max emosh, well played sirs.”

* “Summer Special is superb! Got something in my bloody eye again!!”

* “It will go in my souvenir box file, along with the Champions clapper, Vardy salted crisps and all the other gubbins that will forever convey a touch of immortality.”

——————————–

To get your copy you can pay online via Paypal.

Either subscribe to The FOX for the 2016-17 season HERE. (UK price)

Or you can just buy the Summer Special for £3 plus p&p on its own HERE. (UK Price)

If you wish to purchase our commemorative set of cards then please make an additional payment of £3.95 HERE.

These are UK postal prices, for overseas prices please email:garysilke@sky.com